U.S.-Iran tanker war escalates as Hormuz disruption deepens

The U.S.-Iran confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz intensified after Tehran claimed new attacks on a U.S.-operated drone boat and multiple commercial vessels. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted a remotely operated U.S. drone boat seeking to enter a protected area. The claim followed Saturday’s exchange of fire, when the IRGC said it launched ballistic missiles at a U.S. aircraft carrier and a Navy destroyer; U.S. Central Command said the warships evaded and no personnel were hurt. Washington responded by striking three Iranian crude carriers—permanently disabling the M/T Downy and M/T Stark 1 and destroying the unladen M/T Kylo, which later sank—raising fears for oil export flows.